NHR Daily: Friday Night Predictions

The slate of games isn’t as full as a normal Friday but there are enough to preview and predict before we all break for the holidays. Here is the Friday Preview and Predictions.

Stephen-Argyle at Fosston. I like this game with Karsten Broadley and Zach Fincher going at it. This game is at UM-Crookston (the program that offered Broadley) today at four and it’s a game that looks very even. Stephen-Argyle is 4-4 but has played a tougher schedule, Fosston is 6-2 and if they are the team they want to be this is a game they win. Im going with SA because they have more returning veterans.

Elk River at Rogers. This is quietly a very important game for both teams as each of them are 2-3 and can not really afford another loss right now in terms of the confidence of their teams. Both have been involved in several close games and this should be another. I give Rogers the edge because of being at home and Jordan Belka.

South St. Paul at Mound-Westonka. Don’t look now but SSP is strutting around at 4-2 for the first time since 1809. And I don’t care who they have beaten, they’ve won four games! Can they win a fifth in seven games? It would be a fun story but Mound-Westonka is 3-2 and in common opponent games, Blake killed SSP where as the White Hawks and Bears played a close game. MW wins at home with solid guard play.

Simley at Northfield. The Spartans were 5-0 but not ranked because their schedule is basically a St. Paul City Conference cleaning up. Things got tougher this week when North St Paul beat Simley by 20 and now the Spartans are on the road at undefeated Northfield who is cleaning up with wins over the bottom half of the Big Nine (and Owatonna who has been missing three starters). Love the Jake Binley vs Alex Rasmussen match-up of former Minnesota Select teammates. Raiders are deeper, home, and more experienced so they win.

BSM at DeLaSalle. This game has my interest. BSM is kind of sneaky at 4-3. One score losses to Brooklyn Center and Columbia Heights, four score loss to rival Edina, and wins over Totino-Grace and others. I feel like BSM could get an upset pretty soon, although not tonight. Wayzata, Waconia, and Delano are coming up and I feel like they will get a win or two there and play well tonight. De is 2-1 in Iowa and 1-1 here crushing Concordia and losing to Hopkins. We don’t much about them yet, but we know they have players.

St. Louis Park at Minnetonka. Game of the night pick. Maybe not in stature, but I think the game will be close and fun. Teams right down Highway 7 from each other, they have differing rosters, but solid teams. This will be a good win for…..The Orioles! They are 3-3 but their losses are to the best of the best. Their senior dominated team is hungry for a W.

NRHEG at WEM. These initials have been synonymous with wins but they have lost so many players. NRHEG has lost less players, they get the road win and Benji goes off!

Red Rock Central at RTR. This is a huge Class A game between 5-1 RRC and undefeated RTR. This game is actually in the Adrian Tournament and should be fun but I think RTR just has way too much talent coming back. Red Rock Central still has high IQ Brady Rasmussen with shooter/worker Sam Hansen and big Spencer Halland. RTR though brings back four double figure scorers including Garrett Kern, Westin Kirk, and Cooper Hansen. RTR wins.

Minnehaha Academy at Eastview. At some point the Redhawks are may need a break from the completely ridiculous slate of top opponents they are playing. Eastview’s talented team of juniors and sophomores wants to make a statement and they will be jacked up for this game, can the Redhawks grab the Augsburg event W again? Most likely.